Page:Scientific Memoirs, Vol. 2 (1841).djvu/246

41.

Sufficient data for the investigation above alluded to will probably long be wanting. But it is worthy of notice, that the variations of the magnetic force, which manifest themselves simultaneously at different points of the earth's surface, are susceptible of a perfectly similar treatment. This is the case both with the regular changes corresponding to the periods of the day and of the year, and with the irregular changes. Perhaps in this way, the necessary materials may be much earlier collected. It may be well to subjoin some general remarks concerning these future researches.

After bringing the observed simultaneous changes for each place into the form of alterations of the components of the magnetic force $\Delta X$, $\Delta Y$, $\Delta Z$, it must first be examined whether the alterations of the two horizontal components comport themselves in correspondence with our theory, according to which $\Delta X$ and $\sin u.\Delta Y$, must be values of the partial differential quotients of a function of $u$ and $\lambda$ according to these variables. If this is found to be the case, the conclusion will be, that the causes either are actual galvanic currents, or at least act in the same manner as such currents, or as separated magnetic fluids. In the opposite case, it would be proved that the causes cannot be galvanic currents.

We see that highly important conclusions may be derived even from the knowledge of the changes in the horizontal force only, supposing the determinations sufficiently accurate, numerous, and extensive. But if we add thereto the simultaneous changes in the vertical force, then, supposing the first case, the method in the preceding article will inform us whether the causes are situated above or below the surface of the earth; and further, as they are probably situated in a stratum of small thickness compared to the whole body of the earth, it may be possible to determine the mode of their propagation, at least approximatively.

As regards the second case spoken of above as possible, it certainly appears to me but little probable as concerns the regular changes in the terrestrial magnetic force depending on the time of the year or of the day. In regard to the irregular changes occurring in short intervals, I should hardly venture to pronounce a conjecture at present. If these irregular changes arise from